‘No-one should have to feel so humiliated’

VICTIMS of the bait out trend have told of their humilation after sexual slurs about them were broadcast on the web.

Cassidy Valentine, a model and YouTube video blogger, was named in a bait out clip and accused of being sexually promiscuous.

Miss Valentine, pictured, who was in her teens at the time, told the BBC: ‘I just felt so victimised by it and it was really embarrassing and humiliating to go through. No one should have to feel like that, really.’

Others have spoken anonymously about their ordeal. One 14-year-old girl told Childnet: ‘Lots of people asked for nudes and I finally sent one to a boy who told me he really liked me and that if I sent him one we could be such an amazing couple. I fell for it and the next day my pictures were all around the school… Everyone says it’s okay for boys ...but when girls do it all you get is hate, like slag, sket, slut etc … I regret it.’

A 15-year-old girl told the charity: ‘A nude was sent and it was screenshot and posted on social media. From there, it was screenshot and sent around other people and into group chats. Comments were made about it for a period of time for various reasons. It still happens now even though it happened a year ago.’

When Childnet asked one 13-year-old boy why naked pictures were being shared online, he said: ‘Because all their friends are doing it and they feel like they’re not one of them any more. So to look cool they’re like: “Look, I’ve got nudes too”.’